The truth slips out.

Oil a factor in Australian role in Iraq: minister

SYDNEY (AFP) - Oil is a key factor keeping Australian troops in the US-led war in Iraq, Defence Minister Brendan Nelson said Thursday, before his boss Prime Minister John Howard sharply contradicted him.
(snip)

"For all of those reasons, one of which is energy security, it's extremely important that Australia take the view that it's in our interests, our security interests, to make sure that we leave the Middle East, and leave Iraq in particular, in a position of sustainable security," he said.

I didn't want to use more of the article, but if you go read it you will see dancing around this subject by PM Howard worthy of our own 43.

Last week there were rumours that they would pull out all troops very soon, now the Defense Minister is saying they are staying because of oil? Must have been a helluva Cabinet meeting.